Ball glove with adjustable and customizable strap

ABSTRACT

A ball glove includes a rear strap or back strap that is adjustable to accommodate different hand configurations and sizes. The back strap includes multiple spaced apart openings, or sets of openings, through which one or more laces or other connecting elements may be threaded. A user may adjust the length of the back strap by threading the laces through the openings that yield the best strap-length for his or her hand or wrist. The back strap optionally includes a top portion and a bottom portion that are detachably connected to each other, such that the top portion may be replaced with a different top portion embroidered with—or otherwise displaying—a wearer&#39;s jersey number, team logo, or other desired feature.

BACKGROUND

For baseball and softball players, it is important for a ball glove ormitt to fit comfortably and relatively snugly. Baseball and softballgloves (collectively referred to herein as “ball gloves”) generallyinclude a pocket, finger and thumb receiving portions, a web, and a backstrap that covers at least a portion of the back of a player's hand orwrist. When a player catches a ball, the back of the glove absorbs muchof the stress. Thus, it is important for the back strap to fit properlyand securely.

Due to the variations in wearers' hand sizes and configurations, a ballglove that properly fits over a given wearer's fingers and thumb may betoo loose or too tight for the wearer in the back strap region.Similarly, a ball glove that fits a given wearer properly in the backstrap region may not fit properly over the wearer's fingers and thumb.Thus, many ball players wear ball gloves that do not properly orcomfortably fit their hands.

SUMMARY

A ball glove includes a back strap that is adjustable to accommodatedifferent hand configurations and sizes. The back strap includeslaterally spaced openings, or sets of openings, through which one ormore laces or other connecting elements may be threaded. A wearer mayadjust the length of the back strap by threading the laces through theopenings that yield the best strap-length for his or her hand or wrist.

The back strap optionally includes a top portion and a bottom portionthat are detachably connected to each other, such that the top portionmay be replaced with a different top portion embroidered with—orotherwise displaying—a wearer's name, jersey number, team logo, or otherdesired feature. Other features and advantages will appear hereinafter.The features described above can be used separately or together, or invarious combinations of one or more of them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates the sameelement throughout the views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball glove including an adjustableback strap, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 2A-2C are diagrammatic views showing an adjustable back strap inlarge, medium, and small configurations, respectively, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an upper section of a two-piece adjustable backstrap, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the upper section shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a lower section of the two-piece adjustable backstrap, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described. Thefollowing description provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding and enabling description of these embodiments. One skilledin the art will understand, however, that the invention may be practicedwithout many of these details. Additionally, some well-known structuresor functions may not be shown or described in detail so as to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the relevant description of the variousembodiments.

The terminology used in the description presented below is intended tobe interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it isbeing used in conjunction with a detailed description of certainspecific embodiments of the invention. Certain terms may even beemphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted inany restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as suchin this detailed description section.

Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include theplural or singular term, respectively. Moreover, unless the word “or” isexpressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the otheritems in a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such alist is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list,(b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of items in thelist.

Turning now in detail to the drawings, as shown in FIG. 1, in oneembodiment, a ball glove 10 includes a main body having a palm region orpocket (not shown), at least one finger-receiving portion 12 extendingfrom the pocket, a thumb-receiving portion (not shown) extending fromthe pocket, and a web 14 between the finger and thumb-receivingportions. Depending on the type of ball glove (e.g., a standardfielder's glove, a first baseman's glove, a catcher's glove, etc.), theglove may include one to four finger-receiving portions, each forreceiving one or more of a player's fingers.

A first rear portion 16 extends in a substantially longitudinaldirection directly or indirectly from one or more of thefinger-receiving portions 12 of the main body. A second rear portion 18extends substantially in a longitudinal direction directly or indirectlyfrom the thumb portion or from the web 14 of the main body. A rear strapor back strap 20 extends laterally between the first rear portion 16 andthe second rear portion 18. The various components of the ball glove maybe made of a leather material or of another suitable material. Internalpadding is preferably included in the pocket and in the finger-receivingand thumb-receiving regions of the ball glove, as well as in any otherdesired regions. Laces, stitches, or other suitable elements are used toclose the leather or other material around the padding.

The first rear portion 16 and the second rear portion 18 each include atleast one opening through which a lace, string, cord, or otherconnecting element may pass. For ease of description, laces will bereferenced throughout this description but any suitable connectingelements may be used. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first rearportion 16 includes a set of two openings 22, and the second rearportion 18 includes a set of two openings 24. A greater or lesser numberof openings may be included in the first and second rear portions 16,18.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the back strap 20 includes multiple sets ofopenings that are alignable with the openings in the first and secondrear portions 16, 18. (The first and second rear portions 16, 18 areshown as transparent so that the openings in the back strap 20 arevisible.) In the illustrated embodiment, the back strap 20 includes afirst outer set of openings 26 and a first inner set of openings 28 at afirst end of the strap 20, and a second outer set of openings 30 and asecond inner set of openings 32 at a second end of the strap 20.

In FIG. 2A, the back strap 20 is attached in a loose or large position.One or more laces 34 pass through the openings 22 in the first rearportion 16 and through the corresponding outer set of openings 26 at thefirst end of the back strap 20. Similarly, one or more laces 36 passthrough the openings 24 in the second rear portion 18 and through thecorresponding outer set of openings 32 at the second end of the backstrap 20.

In FIG. 2B, the back strap 20 is attached in a medium position. As inthe large configuration shown in FIG. 2A, one or more laces 34 passthrough the openings 22 in the first rear portion 16 and through thecorresponding outer set of openings 26 at the first end of the backstrap 20. The one or more laces 36, however, pass through the openings24 in the second rear portion 18 and through the corresponding inner setof openings 30 at the second end of the back strap 20. Thus, a distanceX between the first and second rear portions 16, 18 isshortened—relative to the large position shown in FIG. 2A—by thedistance between the outer set of openings 32 and the inner set ofopenings 30.

In FIG. 2C, the back strap 20 is attached in a tight or small position.In this position, one or more laces 34 pass through the openings 22 inthe first rear portion 16 and through the corresponding inner set ofopenings 28 at the first end of the back strap 20. Similarly, the one ormore laces 36 pass through the openings 24 in the second rear portion 18and through the corresponding inner set of openings 30 at the second endof the back strap 20. Thus, the distance between the first and secondrear portions 16, 18 is shortened—relative to the medium position shownin FIG. 2B—by the distance between the outer set of openings 26 and theinner set of openings 28.

In any of the positions shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the laces 34, 36 may beused only to secure the back strap 20 to the first and second rearportions 16, 18, or they may pass through additional openings or regionsof the ball glove 10. In either case, the ends of the laces 34, 36 aretied or knotted (or otherwise secured) so that the laces 34, 36 areprevented from being pulled back through the openings. In this manner,the laces 34, 36 secure the back strap 20 to the first and second rearportions 16, 18.

The lateral spacing between the openings or sets of openings—as well asthe number of laterally spaced openings or sets of openings—in the backstrap 20 may be varied to meet the sizing goals for a given glove. (Thelongitudinal spacing between openings within a set may be varied asdesired, as well.) In one embodiment, the inner and outer openings ateach end of the back strap 20 may be spaced from each other byapproximately 0.5 inches, such that the effective length of the backstrap 20 is approximately 0.5 inches shorter in the medium position thanin the large position, and approximately 0.5 inches shorter in the smallposition than in the medium position. In one embodiment of a men'sbaseball glove, for example, the distance X between the first and secondrear portions 16, 18 may be approximately 4.5 inches in the largeconfiguration, 4.0 inches in the medium configuration, and 3.5 inches inthe small configuration. Additional laterally spaced openings or sets ofopenings may be included in the back strap 20 or in the first or secondrear portions 16, 18 to provide additional sizing options.

In one embodiment, for example, at least one of the first and secondrear portions 16, 18 may include two or more openings or sets ofopenings laterally spaced from each other to provide additional oralternative back strap attachment positions. In this embodiment, theback strap 20 optionally may include only one opening or one set ofopenings at a single lateral position, or may include a greater numberof openings or sets of openings at multiple lateral positions. Anycombination of openings in the first and second rear portions 16, 18 andin the back strap 20 may be provided to achieve a desired number ofattachment positions, and, therefore, a desired number of effective backstrap sizes.

The inclusion of laterally spaced openings in the back strap 20 or inthe first and second rear portions 16, 18 allows a player to adjust theeffective length of the back strap 20 and to secure it in a comfortableposition over the back of the wearer's hand or wrist. Thus, the backstrap 20 can be fitted properly to a variety of hand sizes, allowing itto effectively absorb the stress produced by a ball impacting the gloveduring a catch without concern for the strap loosening.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, in one embodiment, the back strap 20 includes atop portion 40 detachably connected to a bottom portion 42. The topportion 40 includes the openings 26, 28, 30, 32 through which the laces34, 36 may pass to secure the back strap 20 to the first and second rearportions 16, 18. In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the topportion 40 includes a fastener 44 for attaching the top portion 40 tothe bottom portion 42. The fastener 44 may be hooks or loops forattaching to a corresponding fastener 46 of loops or hooks (e.g.,Velcro®) on the bottom portion 42, or may be any other suitablefastener.

The bottom portion 42 may additionally or alternatively include openingsthrough which the laces may pass to connect the bottom portion 42 to thetop portion 40. The use of a hook-and-loop fastener (or of anotherfastener that does not require unthreading of laces) may be preferablefor a player who regularly removes the bottom portion 44 for cleaning orfor other reasons.

A binding 48 around the perimeter of the bottom portion 42 optionally ismade of a relatively soft material, such as polyester, for example, sothat it is comfortable against the back of a player's hand or wrist. Abinding 50 around the perimeter of the top portion 40, conversely, maybe made of a relatively stiff material, such as leather. Alternatively,the bottom binding 48 and the top binding 50 may each be made of arelatively soft or relatively stiff material. The lower surface of thebottom portion 42 may include a wicking material or similar material tohelp keep the back of the player's hand cool and dry.

In one embodiment, the upper surface of the top portion 40 may beembroidered or otherwise adorned with a company logo or other indicia. Aplayer who wishes to personalize the top portion 40 may have a blankreplacement upper portion (which may be included with the ball glove)embroidered or otherwise adorned with personalized information, such asthe player's name, number, team name, position, and so forth. Thereplacement upper portion may be attached to the first and second rearportions 16, 18 via the laces 34, 36, and the bottom portion 42 may beattached to the replacement upper portion via the hook-and-loop fasteneror other fastener. Thus, the two-piece strap offers customizability, andonly the top portion of the strap must be replaced to personalize thestrap.

Any of the above-described embodiments may be used alone or incombination with one another. For example, the ball glove may include aone-piece or two-piece adjustable back strap. Furthermore, the ballglove may include additional features not described herein. Whileseveral embodiments have been shown and described, various changes andsubstitutions may of course be made, without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. The invention, therefore, should not belimited, except by the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A ball glove, comprising: a pocket; a finger-receiving portionextending from the pocket; a thumb-receiving portion extending from thepocket; a web between the finger-receiving portion and thethumb-receiving portion; a first rear portion extending from thefinger-receiving portion, the first rear portion including at least onefirst rear opening; a second rear portion extending from the thumbportion or from the web, the second rear portion including at least onesecond rear opening; a back strap including: a first end region havingat least a first loose-fit opening and a first tight-fit opening; and asecond end region having at least a second loose-fit opening and asecond tight-fit opening; wherein the first end region of the back strapis connected to the first rear portion via a first connecting elementpassing through the first rear opening and through one of the firstloose-fit opening and the first tight-fit opening, and wherein thesecond end region of the back strap is connected to the second rearportion via a second connecting element passing through the second rearopening and through one of the second loose-fit opening and the secondtight-fit opening.
 2. The ball glove of claim 1 wherein the first endregion and the second end region of the back strap each include at leasttwo loose-fit openings and at least two tight-fit openings.
 3. The ballglove of claim 2 wherein the first rear portion includes at least twofirst rear openings alternatively alignable with the at least twoloose-fit openings and the at least two tight-fit openings in the firstend region, and the second rear portion includes at least two secondrear openings alternatively alignable with the at least two loose-fitopenings and the at least two tight-fit openings in the second endregion.
 4. The ball glove of claim 2 wherein, in the first end regionand in the second end region, the loose-fit openings are spaced from thetight-fit openings by approximately 0.5 inches.
 5. The ball glove ofclaim 1 wherein the back strap comprises a top portion detachablyconnected to a bottom portion.
 6. The ball glove of claim 5 wherein thetop portion of the back strap includes the first and second loose-fitopenings and the first and second tight-fit openings.
 7. The ball gloveof claim 5 wherein the top portion is detachably connected to the bottomportion via a hook-and-loop fastener.
 8. The ball glove of claim 1wherein the first and second connecting elements comprise one or morelaces.
 9. A ball glove, comprising: a pocket; a finger-receiving portionextending from the pocket; a thumb-receiving portion extending from thepocket; a web between the finger-receiving portion and thethumb-receiving portion; a first rear portion extending from thefinger-receiving portion, the first rear portion including at least oneopening; a second rear portion extending from the thumb portion or fromthe web, the second rear portion including at least one opening; a backstrap extending laterally between and connected to the first rearportion and the second rear portion via at least one lace, with the backstrap including a first end region having at least one openingconfigured to receive a lace, and a second end region having at leastone opening configured to receive a lace; wherein at least one of thefirst rear portion, the second rear portion, the first end region, andthe second end region includes at least two laterally spaced openingsconfigured to alternatively receive a lace, with one of the at least twoopenings positioned to provide a first fit when a lace passes throughit, and another of the at least two openings positioned to provide atighter fit than the first fit when a lace passes through it.
 10. Theball glove of claim 9 wherein the first end region and the second endregion of the back strap each include at least two laterally spacedopenings.
 11. The ball glove of claim 10 wherein the first end regionand the second end region of the back strap each include at least twosets of laterally spaced openings.
 12. The ball glove of claim 9 whereinthe first rear portion and the second rear portion each include at leasttwo laterally spaced openings.
 13. The ball glove of claim 12 whereinthe first rear portion and the second rear portion each include at leasttwo sets of laterally spaced openings.
 14. The ball glove of claim 9wherein only one of the first end region and the second end region ofthe back strap includes at least two laterally spaced openings.
 15. Theball glove of claim 9 wherein only one of the first rear portion and thesecond rear portion includes at least two laterally spaced openings. 16.The ball glove of claim 9 wherein the back strap comprises a top portiondetachably connected to a bottom portion.
 17. The ball glove of claim 16wherein the top portion of the back strap includes the openings in theback strap.
 18. A ball glove, comprising: a main body including at leastone finger-receiving portion, a thumb-receiving portion, and a web; afirst rear portion extending from the main body; a second rear portionextending from the main body; a back strap extending laterally betweenand connected to the first rear portion and the second rear portion viaat least one connecting element passing through openings in the backstrap, the first rear portion, and the second rear portion; wherein atleast one of the first rear portion, the second rear portion, and theback strap includes at least two laterally spaced openings configured toalternatively receive the at least one connecting element such that alateral distance between the first rear portion and the second rearportion is adjustable.
 19. The ball glove of claim 18 wherein the backstrap comprises a top portion detachably connected to a bottom portion.20. The ball glove of claim 19 wherein the top portion of the back strapincludes the openings in the back strap.